Munich, 13 May 2013 – Linde Gases, a division of the Linde Group, today announced the launch of its Crop Science business. The re-energised product and service offering – previously referred to as its "fumigants" business – is recognition of Linde's renewed commitment to combating the increasing challenges facing the world food supply chain.

Tomorrow also marks the opening of Linde's new plant in the Czech Republic, which will manufacture the group's latest environmentally friendly fumigant. The new fumigant, to be marketed as EDN®, will be used to limit the impact of pests and disease on timber and in agriculture.1

Global research by the Department of Agriculture and Food in Australia has confirmed that a third of the world's food supply is lost or wasted – enough to feed over two billion people. Over half of this food loss is attributable to destruction by crop pests. There are an estimated 70,000 species of crop pests responsible for over 1.4 trillion US dollars of economic losses each year, and as crop pests are predicted to outpace the growth of environmental pests and animal diseases over the next 20 years, this problem will only intensify.

Leading Linde's Crop Science program, gas applications manager, Chris Dolman, said, "Unwanted and harmful organisms are an increasingly global and complex problem, ranging from microorganisms such as bacteria and moulds to arthropods such as insects and spiders, to specific types of plants."

The issue of crop pests is further aggravated by population growth. Predications around food production indicate that food growth will need to increase by 70 to 100 percent over the next 30 years to meet demand.2
Globalisation and the movement of people and goods also create new opportunities for pests: entry into new geographical regions, the finding of new vectors, hosts and environments, and the development of new genetic combinations.

With these challenges in mind, Linde's newly formed Crop Science business will offer innovative fumigant products to protect both food produce itself and the producer's investment, while allowing for genuine sustainable agriculture. The products are highly effective substitutes for the universal – and now mainly banned component – Methyl bromide (MBr), which has for some time been the global standard for fumigation. Linde's fumigant product range is considerably more environmentally friendly and comprises of naturally occurring active ingredients that degrade to earth-friendly metabolites. The fumigant range also fully complies with UN Directives, such as the Montreal Protocol, and has no known global warming potential.

Dolman added, "The move to strengthen our Crop Science business reinforces Linde's commitment to food security and to help protect the global food supply chain. Linde has always played a pioneering role in innovative gas technologies and has a strong heritage in environmental care and scientific research. It is well placed to lead the way with innovative solutions for crop protection."

Linde's innovative Crop Science product range includes VAPORMATE™ and EDN™. Linde also has a dedicated team to ensure farmers and producers select the most appropriate fumigant product to meet their needs and to comply with local regulatory requirements. Further information can be found at http://cropscience.linde-gas.com

In recognition of Linde's dedicate to sustainabilty performance, in September 2012 the Group was added to the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI World). Analysts at the Sustainable Asset Management Group (SAM) recognised in particular the Group's activities in the areas of climate change, environmental management systems and risk and crisis management.3

About The Linde Group

The Linde Group is a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 62,000 employees in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2012 financial year, Linde generated revenue of EUR 15.280 bn. The strategy of the Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The company is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.

1 Based on ethanedinitrile, EDN® is an ozone friendly alternative to methyl bromide (MeBr), which was banned in many countries in 1992 by the Montreal protocol due to its ozone-depleting effects. EDN® surpasses the efficacy of MeBr, requires less dosage per crop, has a shorter fumigation period and has the additional benefit of leaving residues that degrade to become useful soil fertilisers.
2 Current and emerging threats to impact plant industry on global food security - http://www.biosecurity.wa.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=s20m7esxhjQ%3D&tabid=1903 The internationally renowned share index for sustainability performance selects the top 10 percent among the 2,500 largest companies listed on the Dow Jones Global Index. The companies represent 58 different industry sectors and are ranked by SAM analysts according to various environmental, economic and social criteria.